By Andrew Darrah/Ughelli
The president general of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU worldwide, Olorogun Dr. Moses Taiga has lamented its continued neglect by the federal government despite its huge contributions to the development of Nigeria economy.
Olorogun Moses Taiga made this known when addressing newsmen at Urhobo Cultural Centre, on the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the union.
According to him, “The Urhobo people of over five million and Nigeria fifth largest ethnic nationality with the trove of oil and gas, and arable land have contributed immensely to the making of Nigeria.
“There is hardly any sphere of national development that the Urhobo have not contributed to in Nigeria’s quest for nationhood. In politics, economy, military, media education, corporate sector, sports, science and technology even while they are still paying their dues in the making of Nigeria.
“The role Urhobo people played in ensuring the unity and stability of Nigeria is significant as it has always been counted in the support of one Nigeria.
“Despite our very tangible and laudable contributions to the making of Nigeria, we have not received a fair deal from the past and present Nigeria governments.
Having contributed so much to the making of Nigeria, the Urhobo people have been subjected to years of exploitation, oppression, environmental degradation, abject poverty, insecurity, marginalization and other negative manifestation of injustice that are not reprehensible but provocative.
Urhobo nation has been a victim of neglect by successive governments and oil multinational, despite the unimaginable quantum of oil drilled from our land since 1957, there is hardly anything in terms of material or infrastructural advantage to show.
“The Jesse fire pipeline disaster of 1998 during which over 1,000 people died is just one example and in recent years some our communities have been subjected to me Nance of insecurity orchestrated by Fulani herdsmen. This is not only unacceptable but condemnable in every strong terms.
“We are appealing to the federal and state governments to take the necessary steps to combat the ogre as the UPU is deploying an internal mechanism to secure Urhobo land. We will ensure that all Urhobo land from Igben to Uwheru secured”. Olorogun Taiga revealed.
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